As I went out to sit on “my” patio, I became an enemy…of a mother bird feeding her babies up in the rafters. With each entry and exit, she swooped menacingly closer and closer to intimidate me and defend “her” territory and her babies. The aggressive bird prompted me to ask of us believers, “Are we willing to tenaciously defend the territory where God has “planted” us against the enemy Satan, ruler of the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2), who has limited power and authority in this world domain?” In Ephesians 6:11, Paul advised, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ” The challenge is to defend our territory, to fight for the souls, the lives of all God’s children in our communities…with love, with grace, with compassion, with joy, with powerful and effective prayer and authority. May we accept the calling, the challenge to dare to be different, to be salt and light!We have been called, all of us, to stand in the gap, to pray for the souls of the students, teachers, and families of IER. Thanks to your faithfulness and through the teaching of the Word, students are learning to be courageous, stand strong in faith, rely on our faithful Father, forgive, and persevere. Teachers are holding firm to faith, maintaining a positive attitude, and serving as marvelous role models for students in the face of ever-increasing government demands. God is teaching us to be thankful, content, patient and kind…to demonstrate His love.